Many of us have never experienced homelessness. We have never been hungry or worried about where we will sleep. We haven’t been overlooked by society or struggled to survive. To say that we can fully understand a man, woman, or child experiencing homelessness wouldn’t be truthful. 

However, it’s likely that we share more similarities than differences with those facing homelessness. We both have very human needs, especially when it comes to connection. We all need nutritious food, a safe place to sleep, community support, education, etc. They are mothers, fathers, grandmothers, uncles, siblings, sons, and daughters—just like us. Some of us may have been only a few steps away from homelessness ourselves, if it hadn’t been for the support of friends and family. 

Finding ways to relate to those we perceive as different from us is a cornerstone of building empathy. “All parties are equally enriched when we perceive and respond to each other with empathy and compassion,” Helen Riess, author of the book The Empathy Effect, writes. “After all, it’s the human bond that adds the music to the words in life.” 

What is empathy?

Many people confuse empathy (feeling with someone) with sympathy (feeling sorry for someone). “Empathy,” Riess writes, “involves an ability to perceive others’ feelings (and to recognize our own emotions), to imagine why someone might be feeling a certain way, and to have concern for their welfare. Once empathy is activated, compassionate action is the most logical response.” 

Sometimes, empathy doesn’t come naturally to us, especially when we are conditioned to think certain stereotypes are real. The stigma surrounding those experiencing homelessness leads us to believe that individuals living on the street are lazy, dirty, mentally ill, or just want handouts. The good news is that empathy can be taught and practiced. We can learn to look at men, women, and children experiencing homelessness and treat them as fellow human beings. 

Empathy is fundamental to our emotional and social lives. It’s how we connect with others. Ultimately, as our empathy grows, the world becomes a better place for everyone. Empathy drives us to compassion, which creates action that can change the outcome for others.  

How to empathize 

We may find it hard to empathize with some people. But that doesn’t mean we can’t strengthen our empathy muscles, according to Helen Riess. She suggests becoming more adept at perceiving others’ emotions, learning self-regulation techniques to help us not get overwhelmed by excessive emotional resonance, and finding ways to encourage perspective taking. 

Riess uses the acronym EMPATHY to outline the steps of her program: 

• Eye contact – Appropriate eye contact makes people feel seen. Focus on someone’s eyes long enough to gauge their eye color and ensuring face-to-face interaction. 
• Muscles in facial expressions – We often mimic others’ expressions unconsciously. Recognizing and mirroring distinctive facial muscle patterns can aid in understanding their feelings. 
• Posture – Posture communicates interest and emotion. Open posture—facing forward, uncrossed limbs, leaning in—encourages open communication and trust. 
• Affect (or emotions) – Identifying and naming another’s emotions helps understand their behavior and message. 
• Tone – Matching the volume and tone of the person you’re talking to, and using a soothing tone, can make someone feel heard.  
• Hearing – Empathic listening involves asking questions to help others express themselves and listening without judgment, avoiding distractions and preconceptions. 
• Your response – This refers to how you emotionally resonate with the person you’re talking to. We tend to sync up emotionally with others which enhances understanding and likability. 

Strengthening empathy muscles

Building empathy for anyone starts close to home. Here’s how to practice with friends, family, and coworkers, ultimately leading to a more empathetic response to homelessness:

• Ask open-ended questions. Encourage them to share their feelings and experiences. (“How did that make you feel?”)
• Discuss challenges. Talk about recent struggles at work or home and share how you felt and how it impacted you.
• Normalize emotions. Acknowledge that everyone experiences a range of feelings, positive and negative.
• Volunteer with Atlanta Mission. This provides a firsthand perspective on the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness.

Having strengthened your empathy muscle through these exercises, it’s time to translate that understanding into action (and if you have children, team them about empathy too). While the circumstances of homelessness can be complex, these practical tips can guide your interactions:

How to interact with people facing homelessness (only if you feel like it’s a safe situation) 

• Look them in the eyes and ask them their name
• Give them a warm smile
• Give them an Atlanta Mission referral card 
• Ask how you can pray for them

How to talk to your kids about homelessness and teach them empathy 

• Honor their curiosity
• Be honest
• Check your own biases
• Keep the conversation going

Cultivating empathy dismantles the walls between us and those experiencing homelessness. This newfound understanding fuels compassion, leading to action and a world where everyone feels acknowledged, valued, and supported. But empathy isn’t a one-time act; it’s a lifelong practice. Let’s extend it not just to those facing homelessness, but to everyone around us. Even small gestures of human connection can create a ripple effect of kindness, ultimately making our world a better place.